October 3rd, 2020 - A Hopothetical and Deviant Chord

Good evening!  The Meista here tonight pairing "The Deviant Chord", the most recent studio album from American power metal pioneers Jag Panzer and a Hopothetical IPA from Proper Brewing Company!!  I paired this album 3 years ago when it first came out, but I decided to pair it once again as I've been listening to it a lot lately and the imagery of the Hopothetical label was just too perfect not to pair with the brilliant album cover art of "The Deviant Chord"!

  
Album Info: 

• Artist: Jag Panzer
• Title: "The Deviant Chord"
• Recorded: 2017 at Clamsville Productions, Marvelous Margene's Metal Manufacturing, Soggy Bottom Studios, Blake Eberhard Bass Studios, House M-sound Works, and Open the Portal Studios
• Release date: September 29th, 2017 (10th studio album by Jag Panzer)
• Record company: Steamhammer / SPV
• Production: John Herrera
• Album cover art: Dusan Markovic (illustration) and Mark Briody (art direction)
• Personnel: Mark Briody (guitars and keyboards), Harry "The Tyrant" Conklin (lead vocals), Rikard Stjernquist (drums), Joey Tafolla (guitars), and John Tetley (bass)
• Guest musician: Shawn Lucero (spoken word)
• Musical style: Heavy metal, power metal, speed metal, hard rock
• Sound: Wow... where do I start?  This is American power metal in the grandest sense of the style!  The tracks blend multiple elements of heavy metal and hard rock with strong, heartfelt songwriting, rich melodies, soaring harmonies, and that focused and masterful musicianship Jag Panzer is known for!  In the tradition of Thin Lizzy, Judas Priest, and Iron Maiden, the dual shredding guitar work of Briody and Tafolla is soaring, paint-peeling, face-melting brilliance!  Their combined tone is perfect and the soloing is mind blowing!  Conklin's vocals sound as fresh, powerful, and youthful as they did 30+ years ago!  His range is huge, honest, and awe-inspiring!  And the combined thunder of rhythm section Stjernquist and Tetley hold it all together with machine-gun fire aggression, passion, and precision!
• Major themes: The pursuit of power, fear, lust, revenge, war, might, the battle of good vs. evil, life and death, the pursuit of knowledge, courage, etc.
• Tracks:   

1. "Born Of The Flame"
2. "Far Beyond All Fear"
3. "The Deviant Chord"
4. "Blacklist"
5. "Foggy Dew" (traditional Irish folk song)
6. "Divine Intervention"
7. "Long Awaited Kiss"
8. "Salacious Behavior"
9. "Fire Of Our Spirit"
10. "Dare"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Proper Brewing Company (Salt Lake City, Utah)
• Website: http://www.properbrewingco.com//
• Brew: Hopothetical IPA
• Style: New England India Pale Ale (NEIPA)
• Serving: 16 ounce can
• ABV: 7.0%
• IBUs: 80
• Pour: The Hopothetical IPA pours a hazy golden yellow hue with a frothy and firm, bright white, 1+ finger head with good sustain and lots of intricate lacing.
• Nose: The nose is citrusy, fruity, floral, hoppy, and slightly malty.  There are aromas of pink grapefruit juice, lemon zest, lime, tangerine, pineapple, mango, cereal grain, light honey, and soft caramel.
• Taste: The taste of the Hopothetical IPA follows the nose with citrusy, hoppy, grainy, and sweet fruity flavors.  There are notes of orange peel, grapefruit juice, tangerine, pineapple, mango, grassy hops, cracked wheat, a touch of honey, and soft caramel.
• Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied and moderately carbonated, the mouthfeel is crisp and juicy with a dry, slightly bitter finish.

Overall pairing: Both the complexity of flavors and the overall punchiness of  Proper's Hopothetical IPA work perfectly with the bombast, musical prowess, and metal integrity of Jag Panzer's brilliant "The Deviant Chord"!  As with the brew, the album provides its audience with sweet, bitter, and very complex notes.  I can't say enough about this album and this beer!  GET SOME!!

Cheers and hails!!